PV-GS9 I am able to connect to computer with firewire and use windows moviemaker to download my small tapes to computer but the but sound is intermittent and scratchy- I used my neighbors camera and the same thing happens. Ive also used different tapes and they all download the same way. I used to be able to playback with clean sound. Ive used the cleaning disc too...any thought appreciated

Use a FireWire cable with a USB adapter on one end that connects to the USB port on the computer..

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_7149470_firewire-usb-transfer.html

I take it that your macbook pro has imovie on it. If you open up imovie and plug in your camcorder it should recognise the camcorder and give you access to putting the movie onto your mac. Have a look at http://www.apple.com/support/imovie/ it should help.

I don't understand the "firewire to USB cable" reference. You can't just connect these two incompatible interfaces together with a cable. There is some kind of conversion device available to allow a Firewire connection to be made to a USB port, but the chatter on the forums says that it doesn't work with video cameras.

Some mini-DV cameras have a USB port, but only use it for stills and can only download video by Firewire. As most Windows PCs do not come with this interface, you might need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card. This will come with a driver for the card.

You don't say if you have the manual available for reference. If not, you can download a copy from THIS LINK

According to Microsoft there is currently no compatibility. (see link)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/Windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=Panasonic%20PV-GS9%20MiniDV%2020X%2F800X%20Camcorder&v=Panasonic&uid=PV-GS9&pf=1&pi=1&c=Cameras%20%26%20Photo&sc=Camcorders&os=32-bit&vd=all

try this driver
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/Drivers/capture/ComMass.zip

You really need a panasonic camcorder or need a new camcorder that can read your mini dv tape. good luck

ok i hope you have a windows computer or at least you somehow got windows movie maker on a mac. go to capture video in windows movie maker and then capture it!

The USB port on the camera is to download still pics from the Camera's SD Card to your computer. USB connector is not for video downloading.

For video downloading you have to use FireWire port. Your computer must have a FireWire port too. You will need some sort of video downloading software - like Microsoft's MovieMaker. There are some free software to download videos from mini dv camcorders to computer. It takes 1Hr to download 1Hr tape - you have to play it all to record it all. You will need video editing software to do different editing if you want. Otherwise, MovieMaker can make a good avi file. You can upload that to YouTube.

3yrs ago when I purchased this cam, I did not have FireWire port in my computer. I searched online a lot and found a way to download video using USB - it was tough, complicated. It was possible, but quality was too bad and too many dropped frames.

If you do not have firewire port, google for FireWire PCI Card, should be <$10. You have to install it inside your PC. Also search for FireWire cable ($10+/-) that will match BOTH camera and PC ports.

Thank you.

The USB port on the camera is to download still pics from the Camera's SD Card to your computer. USB connector is not for video downloading.

For video downloading you have to use FireWire port. Your computer must have a FireWire port too. You will need some sort of video downloading software - like Microsoft's MovieMaker. There are some free software to download videos from mini dv camcorders to computer. It takes 1Hr to download 1Hr tape - you have to play it all to record it all.

3yrs ago when I purchased this cam, I did not have FireWire port in my computer. I searched online a lot and found a way to download video using USB - it was tough, complicated. It was possible, but quality was too bad and too many dropped frames.

If you do not have firewire port, google for FireWire PCI Card, should be <$10. You have to install it inside your PC. Also search for FireWire cable ($10+/-) that will match BOTH camera and PC ports.

Thank you.

if you want to transfer the video to the computer, I use a firewire cable that I had to buy separately, make sure ur computer has a firewire port. The usb cable is only good for downloading pictures.